H.E. Williams Candy Co

by May 17, 2022Art, Food

H.E. Williams Candy Co

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes| May 17, 2022

https://www.weekendnotes.com/h-e-williams-candy-company-virginia/

H.E. Williams Candy Company, Factory, Peach Bud candy, processing, family factory, local gemChesapeake, Virginia,
Peach Bud Candy Heaven at the H.E. Williams Candy Company in Chesapeake, Virginia

You’re warned, “you’re going to smell sweet when you leave here, that’s the smell of candy.” Our group was met by Mr. Dave Williams and his brother Joe and their employee Erica. They allowed us to watch as they made a batch of Peach buds.

Brothers Dave and Joe are third-generation candy makers along with their sister, and the president of the company since the passing of their mother. The original candy men, Harold Eugene Williams, and his brother Shafter, Junior, passed the factory to Ann and Dave and Joe’s father and uncle, creator of the blow pop, and then their mother, before the “children” inherited the business. “They never put heat in the building, so the only place that’s warm in winter is back by the cauldrons,” Dave explains. “and we can’t form the candy once the humidity gets past 80 percent, so I’m glad you got here early.“

H.E. Williams Candy Company, Factory, Peach Bud candy, processing, family factory, local gemChesapeake, Virginia, Copper Cauldron
Copper Cauldron with Boiling Goodness

One cauldron is steaming in the back of the factory, filled with boiling sugar and heated corn syrup. They purchase the corn syrup a tank at a time. With supply chain issues, the cost has increased from $12,000 to $20,000. When asked how many pieces of candy this makes, Dave invites you to count the pieces at the end, because “I don’t know.“

H.E. Williams Candy Company, Factory, Peach Bud candy, processing, family factory, local gemChesapeake, Virginia, the Coconut, flavors, filling
The Coconut!

Brother Joe has just formed the candy’s coconut filling as we arrive. Scattered across the tabletop are containers of flavoring and color.

H.E. Williams Candy Company, Factory, Peach Bud candy, processing, family factory, local gemChesapeake, Virginia, lava flow, copper cauldron
The Lava Flow Begins!

Dave checks the color and texture of the sugar syrup mixture in the copper pot and finally deems it ready to form. With a mechanically assisted pulley, they pour this hot lava like material on a stainless-steel table cooled with water from below. As the sweet-smelling substance pours to fill every available inch, Dave shows us the stainless-steel bar they use to level it. “You know what this is called?” he gestured towards his brother Joe, “he calls this the candy bar.” Appreciative laughter fills the space.

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